Grindstone Nature Area - Trail, Columbia, Missouri

Grindstone Nature Area - Trail, Columbia, Missouri

DESCRIPTION

Grindstone is a bowl-shaped park bordered by Hinkson Creek on the north and west sides, and by Grindstone Creek on the east and south. Cliffs and wooded hills surround a flat field with a wooded "island" in the middle. Three or four miles of enjoyable singletrack winds through the woods surrounding the broad trail encircling the field. Also, a great little stretch of singletrack crosses the island. The singletrack on the southern ridge is especially picturesque.
Bring your climbing gear for the limestone routes at Capen, on the west side (5.6-5.11).

Latitude

38.930103338290635

Longitude

-92.31287956237793

City

Columbia

State

Missouri

Zip/Postal Code

Country

United States

Phone

Trail Length

3-6 miles

Trail Level

Beginner

Trail Type

Singletrack & Fire Roads

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-9 of 9

[May 08, 2013]

PaulGarrison

Weekend Warrior

Just got back from riding today.

I didn't ride the southern loop. You can find a map at gocolumbiamo.com, although it's not really presented there as a mountain biking trail.
https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Parks/Grindstone_Nature_Area/documents/grindst8x11.pdf

It's a good trail. Mostly tight singletrack. Essentially elaborate deer trails. Tight corners, a few logs. A lot of what I rode (NE part of the map) runs right along the river, which is really nice. There are a lot more trails there than the map indicates. It can be a lot of fun, but you might find yourself backtracking a bit. It's such small area it's very hard to get lost.

Customer Service

Usually I start out at Capen Park drive, and the go north and then eventually east down along the river. At the historic silo I turn west and go along the river (thin red line on the map) which lets you end up about where you start. Then, you can turn around and just reverse everything, that's a lot of fun.

I will review the southern loop soon, don't worry.

Also you can look for the y****be video of my run, my username here is my username there.

Similar Products Used:

Rhett's Run and Rock Bridge State Park

But Binder in Jeff City is better.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

[May 08, 2013]

PaulGarrison

Weekend Warrior

Just got back from riding today.

I didn't ride the southern loop. You can find a map at gocolumbiamo.com, although it's not really presented there as a mountain biking trail.
https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Parks/Grindstone_Nature_Area/documents/grindst8x11.pdf

It's a good trail. Mostly tight singletrack. Essentially elaborate deer trails. Tight corners, a few logs. A lot of what I rode (NE part of the map) runs right along the river, which is really nice. There are a lot more trails there than the map indicates. It can be a lot of fun, but you might find yourself backtracking a bit. It's such small area it's very hard to get lost.

Customer Service

Usually I start out at Capen Park drive, and the go north and then eventually east down along the river. At the historic silo I turn west and go along the river (thin red line on the map) which lets you end up about where you start. Then, you can turn around and just reverse everything, that's a lot of fun.

I will review the southern loop soon, don't worry.

Also you can look for the y****be video of my run, my username here is my username there.

Similar Products Used:

Rhett's Run and Rock Bridge State Park

But Binder in Jeff City is better.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 03, 2006]

broken

Weekend Warrior

Varing terrian; has everything from crushed gravel to step uphills, and rock desents. Just rode today and is in need of some reconditioning on the trail following the creek towards the westside of the basin. other then this, a great quick ride not to far from downtown. I use it to get a quick ride when time is a constratent, but i just got to get a fix.

Customer Service

To condridict previous reviewers, I park (or ride in i don't live to far away) at the Rock Quarry Rd. (Capen Park) Enterance and take a left along the bluff line staying out of the field (plenty of double track out here)which has a short uphill followed by a nice winding downhill w/ plenty of roots. I then head over to the secret stash of Grindstone, the south boundary. This across the bridge (or if you park at the Old 63 / Grindstone Nature Area Entrance on that side of the bridge) to the south tree line, where the trail takes you across the creek and different set of trails. I ussually head south at the first intersection and then head east at the next which takes you to a nice long uphill. this follows the entire boundary of grindstone leading to one very techincal down hill (there two technical downhills on this route, one makes the loop shorter). I then head back across the bridge (you can choose to cross the big creek before you get out of the south boundary) and hit the section of trail following the creek on the north side and back to the parking area. there are several different singel tracks in both the north & south area, just try to keep yourself oriented in the south.

Similar Products Used:

Rhetts Run, Rockbridge, and Binder Lake

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 03, 2006]

broken

Weekend Warrior

Varing terrian; has everything from crushed gravel to step uphills, and rock desents. Just rode today and is in need of some reconditioning on the trail following the creek towards the westside of the basin. other then this, a great quick ride not to far from downtown. I use it to get a quick ride when time is a constratent, but i just got to get a fix.

Customer Service

To condridict previous reviewers, I park (or ride in i don't live to far away) at the Rock Quarry Rd. (Capen Park) Enterance and take a left along the bluff line staying out of the field (plenty of double track out here)which has a short uphill followed by a nice winding downhill w/ plenty of roots. I then head over to the secret stash of Grindstone, the south boundary. This across the bridge (or if you park at the Old 63 / Grindstone Nature Area Entrance on that side of the bridge) to the south tree line, where the trail takes you across the creek and different set of trails. I ussually head south at the first intersection and then head east at the next which takes you to a nice long uphill. this follows the entire boundary of grindstone leading to one very techincal down hill (there two technical downhills on this route, one makes the loop shorter). I then head back across the bridge (you can choose to cross the big creek before you get out of the south boundary) and hit the section of trail following the creek on the north side and back to the parking area. there are several different singel tracks in both the north & south area, just try to keep yourself oriented in the south.

Similar Products Used:

Rhetts Run, Rockbridge, and Binder Lake

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 06, 2001]

Barry

Spend some time exploring all the wooded areas around the edges, and use the wide paths through the field only as connectors.

Although there are only about 3-4 miles of singletrack here, it's never crowded, it's scenic, and close to campus.

This place is a good intro for beginners and a great night ride!

Customer Service

There is a great loop south of Grindstone Creek. The short but difficult start of this trail heads south just left of a big steel bridge near the Grindstone parking lot - don't be ashamed to walk it. After a few hudred feet, it crosses a wet-weather creek, curves up and west along a forested ridge, then makes a steep drop and doubles back east at the foot of the ridge. There is also some singletrack squeezed in on the northern edge of Grindstone Creek, between the creek and the rail-trail.

Similar Products Used:

Rock Bridge, Three Creeks, Cedar Creek, Finger Lakes & Rhett's Run

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 06, 2001]

Barry

Spend some time exploring all the wooded areas around the edges, and use the wide paths through the field only as connectors.

Although there are only about 3-4 miles of singletrack here, it's never crowded, it's scenic, and close to campus.

This place is a good intro for beginners and a great night ride!

Customer Service

There is a great loop south of Grindstone Creek. The short but difficult start of this trail heads south just left of a big steel bridge near the Grindstone parking lot - don't be ashamed to walk it. After a few hudred feet, it crosses a wet-weather creek, curves up and west along a forested ridge, then makes a steep drop and doubles back east at the foot of the ridge. There is also some singletrack squeezed in on the northern edge of Grindstone Creek, between the creek and the rail-trail.

Similar Products Used:

Rock Bridge, Three Creeks, Cedar Creek, Finger Lakes & Rhett's Run

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 09, 2001]

Ryan Bradley

I give this ride 4 stars because I could hit the singletrack straight out of a class anyday of the week, or sometimes inbetween classes. Not many places offer that.

Customer Service

I used to live in Columbia (hey Barry) and used to night ride and day ride the park quite often. For a kicker ride right off campus park at Trowbridge parking lot or the apartments across the street. Go down the street and cross stadium. Pickup the trail on the left side of the road cup and and ride to the top of the roadcut. Head left into the woods on singletrack and follow the crest of Capens bluff all the way to the parking lot. Last downhill is the backside of the bluff with multiple 6"-18" drops, very technical! Cross the Bridge and head left following the creek until it cuts back right. Get on the grassy double track and follow that. Make a left onto hidden singletrack just before the field and climb steeply. follow this back downhill by the silo. From there follow singletrack to creek and cross. Follow trail and take the 2nd right and heap up the hill. Make a right at the top of the hill and ride the ridge to the big fast drop. Hit the drop and head back right.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 09, 2001]

Ryan Bradley

I give this ride 4 stars because I could hit the singletrack straight out of a class anyday of the week, or sometimes inbetween classes. Not many places offer that.

Customer Service

I used to live in Columbia (hey Barry) and used to night ride and day ride the park quite often. For a kicker ride right off campus park at Trowbridge parking lot or the apartments across the street. Go down the street and cross stadium. Pickup the trail on the left side of the road cup and and ride to the top of the roadcut. Head left into the woods on singletrack and follow the crest of Capens bluff all the way to the parking lot. Last downhill is the backside of the bluff with multiple 6"-18" drops, very technical! Cross the Bridge and head left following the creek until it cuts back right. Get on the grassy double track and follow that. Make a left onto hidden singletrack just before the field and climb steeply. follow this back downhill by the silo. From there follow singletrack to creek and cross. Follow trail and take the 2nd right and heap up the hill. Make a right at the top of the hill and ride the ridge to the big fast drop. Hit the drop and head back right.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 18, 2002]

Bruce

It is short, but in some places mighty. When I lived in Columbia, I loved Grindstone as the afterwork trail. If you're limited on time, you can gain twenty minutes of exhileration...If you have more time, you can do it more than once. To start out, it is nice to take a warm up on the field trails, then hit the hills for the more technical aspects. Some of my best and most notable wrecks have been out there, usually going over the handlebars at the most unexpected times.

Customer Service

Pull into the Grindstone parking lot, cross the bridge then turn right to cross the creek.

Similar Products Used:

Enjoy the hills on the south side.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 18, 2002]

Bruce

It is short, but in some places mighty. When I lived in Columbia, I loved Grindstone as the afterwork trail. If you're limited on time, you can gain twenty minutes of exhileration...If you have more time, you can do it more than once. To start out, it is nice to take a warm up on the field trails, then hit the hills for the more technical aspects. Some of my best and most notable wrecks have been out there, usually going over the handlebars at the most unexpected times.

Customer Service

Pull into the Grindstone parking lot, cross the bridge then turn right to cross the creek.

Similar Products Used:

Enjoy the hills on the south side.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 25, 2002]

Cabin Fever

So far, I've only ridden this place once, but I had a blast and intend on riding it much more often in the future when I'm in Columbia. Even though we were constantly coming to forks in the trail, I always felt as though I was not going to get lost, so I was able to fully enjoy all the trails. after riding that place once, I feel very familiar and comfortable with it. There were steep uphills defined by plenty of rocks and roots intermixed to really challenge your technical climbing ability, and some short and sweet downhills that make you feel all warm anf fuzzy at the bottom. The singletrack, which there was a lot of, was very twisty, and just plain fun. The rocks gardens were where they should be, and the singletrack was nice and smooth. I thought that Rock Bridge was limited on space, but this place is much more compact. It kinda reminds me of riding the "trails" in Bluebird Park on Ellisville, if anyone is familiar with that place.

Customer Service

not really any specific route, as it seemed to be a big web of trails. just take the time to take each direction of each fork, and you'll have a blast.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 25, 2002]

Cabin Fever

So far, I've only ridden this place once, but I had a blast and intend on riding it much more often in the future when I'm in Columbia. Even though we were constantly coming to forks in the trail, I always felt as though I was not going to get lost, so I was able to fully enjoy all the trails. after riding that place once, I feel very familiar and comfortable with it. There were steep uphills defined by plenty of rocks and roots intermixed to really challenge your technical climbing ability, and some short and sweet downhills that make you feel all warm anf fuzzy at the bottom. The singletrack, which there was a lot of, was very twisty, and just plain fun. The rocks gardens were where they should be, and the singletrack was nice and smooth. I thought that Rock Bridge was limited on space, but this place is much more compact. It kinda reminds me of riding the "trails" in Bluebird Park on Ellisville, if anyone is familiar with that place.

Customer Service

not really any specific route, as it seemed to be a big web of trails. just take the time to take each direction of each fork, and you'll have a blast.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 08, 2002]

Will Bryson

It has a lot of short, fast, and narrow singletrack, and some technical stuff on the backside of the climbing wall. I ride it because it is in the perfect location, in between my house and campus. I ride it pretty much everyday. The trails are short but they are pretty well defined and fun to ride. My favorite part of Grindstone is the trail off Stadium that leads down to the Rock Quarry entrance to the Park. The trail leads a very technical section of rock ledges which is challenging and fun. Most of the time I don't even see another biker, only dog walkers, and they stay off the singletrack. Anyone can ride this park, from beginner to pro, and if your a student with a bike, you should hit this everyday, it is just too close and too much fun.

Customer Service

Ride up the Second Road Cut east of Rock Quarry on Stadium Drive, or go in off Old 63 S and ride across Hinkson Creek.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 08, 2002]

Will Bryson

It has a lot of short, fast, and narrow singletrack, and some technical stuff on the backside of the climbing wall. I ride it because it is in the perfect location, in between my house and campus. I ride it pretty much everyday. The trails are short but they are pretty well defined and fun to ride. My favorite part of Grindstone is the trail off Stadium that leads down to the Rock Quarry entrance to the Park. The trail leads a very technical section of rock ledges which is challenging and fun. Most of the time I don't even see another biker, only dog walkers, and they stay off the singletrack. Anyone can ride this park, from beginner to pro, and if your a student with a bike, you should hit this everyday, it is just too close and too much fun.

Customer Service

Ride up the Second Road Cut east of Rock Quarry on Stadium Drive, or go in off Old 63 S and ride across Hinkson Creek.

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 20, 2003]

smokey strodtman

i totally agree with barry, this is an ideal beginner and novice trail. my skill levels are still not that good, and a back injury keeps me from pushing the envelope too hard, but i always have a blast here.there are several rooty, rocky climbs that test your lungs, balance, and pedalling technique. when you get winded, you can always go back to the main trail for a few minutes, then jump back in. grindstone is unique in that it is very close to the U. of Mo. campus. i bet this makes a lot of mountain biking students happy. i also enjoy bringing my wife here and riding the main trails on our tandem. with this trail, rhett's run in cosmos park, and rock bridge state park, you can have a great weekend's riding and then enjoy columbia's nightlife. if you like good beer, don't miss the flat creek microbrewery, a half block south of the intersection of 5th and cherry.

Customer Service

i always start by parking in the lot off old 63 hwy. and crossing the creek. i hit the wide trail through the middle of the park and then start branching off on all the little singletrack paths i can find.

Similar Products Used:

rhett's run, rock bridge state park.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 20, 2003]

smokey strodtman

i totally agree with barry, this is an ideal beginner and novice trail. my skill levels are still not that good, and a back injury keeps me from pushing the envelope too hard, but i always have a blast here.there are several rooty, rocky climbs that test your lungs, balance, and pedalling technique. when you get winded, you can always go back to the main trail for a few minutes, then jump back in. grindstone is unique in that it is very close to the U. of Mo. campus. i bet this makes a lot of mountain biking students happy. i also enjoy bringing my wife here and riding the main trails on our tandem. with this trail, rhett's run in cosmos park, and rock bridge state park, you can have a great weekend's riding and then enjoy columbia's nightlife. if you like good beer, don't miss the flat creek microbrewery, a half block south of the intersection of 5th and cherry.

Customer Service

i always start by parking in the lot off old 63 hwy. and crossing the creek. i hit the wide trail through the middle of the park and then start branching off on all the little singletrack paths i can find.

Similar Products Used:

rhett's run, rock bridge state park.

OVERALLRATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Mar 20, 2003]

Garner

This park has changed a lot in the last few years. Large crushed limestone paths were put in for walkers and joggers and to connect the park all the way to the MKT and Katy trails. This is also an off-leash area for pets. If you avoid the limestone there is some fun singletrack on the ridges. Overall, it is a short trail but great if you live within a couple of miles so you can cruise there on your bike.

Customer Service

I like to park at the Grindstone entrance off of Old 63, just south from Stadium. Head out on the limestone trail and take a left off of the bridge. Cross the creek and start climbing. This trail will lead you high on the ridge on the south side of the park. Then keep going clockwise. When you get to Capen Park I like to take a trail up on top of the rocks that leads you to Stadium.

This park has changed a lot in the last few years. Large crushed limestone paths were put in for walkers and joggers and to connect the park all the way to the MKT and Katy trails. This is also an off-leash area for pets. If you avoid the limestone there is some fun singletrack on the ridges. Overall, it is a short trail but great if you live within a couple of miles so you can cruise there on your bike.

Customer Service

I like to park at the Grindstone entrance off of Old 63, just south from Stadium. Head out on the limestone trail and take a left off of the bridge. Cross the creek and start climbing. This trail will lead you high on the ridge on the south side of the park. Then keep going clockwise. When you get to Capen Park I like to take a trail up on top of the rocks that leads you to Stadium.